Certain imagery-based techniques can reduce the fear of failure that results from difficult childhood memories, according to research by scientists from SWPS University and the Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology. The researchers described their findings in a paper published in the prestigious journal Frontiers in Psychology .
Adverse childhood experiences, such as criticism, neglect, or harsh responses from caregivers, may have a long-term impact on psychological well-being and quality of life in adulthood. The way caregivers respond to a child’s failures may play a key role in shaping later emotional and cognitive patterns. A possible consequence is fear of failure, based on the belief that making mistakes leads to being perceived as less worthy.
A team of scientists from the Poznań-based Laboratory of Affective Neuroscience at the Institute of Psychology, SWPS University, and the Laboratory of Brain Imaging at the Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology in Warsaw investigated whether the impact of these negative memories on daily functioning can be effectively and sustainably reduced through imagery-based techniques in psychotherapy.
Does working with memories offer the possibility of lasting change?
180 young adults (between 18 and 35 years of age) experiencing fear of failure were recruited for a randomized, controlled clinical trial. Over the course of two weeks, participants completed four therapy sessions during which they worked with painful childhood memories related to criticism.
Some participants were subjected to Imagery Exposure (IE) technique, during which they were instructed to simply recall situations that evoked fear or anxiety (the active control group). The second group was administered the Imagery Rescripting (ImRs) technique, which alters the narrative of memories. This method involves recalling a distressing situation and then imagining a "defender" (e.g., a therapist) appearing there to confront the critic and support the child. The third group used the same therapeutic technique, but with a 10-minute delay procedure (ImRs-DSR), which was intended to disrupt the memory trace of the critical memory, enhancing the impact of the intervention.
Study participants completed questionnaires and participated in interviews. Their physiological parameters were also measured. Follow-up observations were conducted after three and six months.
Rescripting memories really works
It turned out that all the imagery-based techniques used in the study led to a significant and lasting reduction in fear of failure, and a reduction in negative emotions such as sadness and guilt. Physiological reactivity to memories associated with criticism also decreased, meaning that participants no longer reacted with intense stress when recalling distressing situations. This improvement was consistently sustained at follow-ups three and six months after the session, demonstrating that the psychological change was stable.
The study shows that it is possible to reduce the intensity of negative emotions and arousal associated with memories of childhood criticism. Properly selected techniques can influence how these memories are experienced, making them less burdensome , says study co-author Julia Bączek, a psychologist from the Laboratory of Affective Neuroscience at the Institute of Psychology, SWPS University.
The imagery rescripting technique was most effective when participants experienced a moment of surprise. This was due to the prediction error, which is the emergence of a discrepancy between expectations and the actual events experienced. This promotes the replacement of old, painful patterns.
We have shown that a crucial part of imagery-based therapy is creating a discrepancy between what the patient expects and what actually happens in the new memory. It is this surprise that paves the way for a lasting therapeutic change , says study co-author Stanisław Karkosz, a cognitive scientist from the Laboratory of Affective Neuroscience at the Institute of Psychology, SWPS University.
Past experiences do not have to rule us
The researchers demonstrate that by appropriately using imagery-based techniques, in which we "write" new, safe endings to old stories, we can actually change our response to today's challenges.
The results suggest that the way we experience difficult memories (including those related to failure) can change. This means that past experiences do not have to be emotionally processed in a fixed, unchanging way, Julia Bączek emphasises.
The study " Imagine yourself as a little girl…—efficacy and psychophysiology of imagery techniques targeting adverse autobiographical childhood experiences- multi-arm randomised controlled trial ” is available on the Frontiers in Psychology website.
Frontiers in Psychology
Randomized controlled/clinical trial
People
Imagine yourself as a little girl…—efficacy and psychophysiology of imagery techniques targeting adverse autobiographical childhood experiences- multi-arm randomised controlled trial
16-Jan-2026
The author(s) declared that this work was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.